Chris Sale Gets An MRI (Only Two Weeks After Saying “I Feel Better Than I Have In A Long Time") And Will Consult With Dr. Andrews

Chris Sale threw live batting practice on Sunday. He arrived at the park on Monday with a sore left elbow and was sent for an MRI. After the Red Sox medical staff reviewed the MRI, it was sent to Dr. James Andrews for further evaluation.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom:

Obviously there's some concern. ... But until we have all the information, we don't want to start speculating unnecessarily. ... At a minimum, even if this is fairly benign, we know it's going to set him back to some degree. ... We also know, in the course of this building up [period] ... sometimes you can get sore. He hasn't faced hitters in a long time. ... [T]o speculate too much would be irresponsible. But needless to say, everything has gone well to this point. This is our first bump in the road. ... But you can't help but have some concern.

As fans, we have zero information right now. But it's hard to avoid thinking about the worst-case scenario, with Sale out until June 2021 with TJ surgery, leaving this year's Red Sox with Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi as the top two starters.

Sale was examined by Dr. Andrews last August and it was determined that the lefty did not need TJ surgery. Sale also received a good report from Dr. Andrews in November.

Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic:

Chris Sale walked out of the Red Sox clubhouse at JetBlue Park around 1 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm alive," he said with a smirk when asked how he was doing by a reporter who was surprised to see him.

Two hours earlier, interim manager Ron Roenicke had told reporters in Tampa ... that Sale was headed for an MRI on his elbow as a result of soreness following his live batting practice session on Sunday, in which he threw 15 pitches.

"I've got more information to get and I'll let you guys know tomorrow," Sale added as he walked toward his car.

Sale said last month that he had thrown

off the mound probably six or seven times this offseason. My body is feeling good. Started flipping some breaking balls and getting after it a little bit. I'm doing normal stuff that I was before and it felt good. ... I feel better than I have in a long time, actually.